Prescription Drugs: What Kids Are Taking

Depressant: Xanax
Nicknames: Z-bar, bricks, Benzos
Generic: alprazolam
Legitimate uses: Treats anxiety and sleeplessness; is an anticonvulsant
Kids take: Orally, or occasionally by crushing and snorting
Effects: Wooziness, floating feelings, mind-and-body numbness

Depressant: Valium
Nickname: blues
Generic: diazepam
Legitimate uses: Treats anxiety and sleeplessness; is an anticonvulsant
Kids take: Orally, or occasionally by crushing and snorting
Effects: Euphoria and sleepiness

Stimulants: Ritalin, Concerta
Nicknames: Rid, vitamin R, jif, R-ball, Ritty, Rits
Generic: methylphenidate
Legitimate use: Treats attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children and adults
Kids take: Orally, or by crushing and snorting
Effects: Intense feeling of energy and increased concentration

Stimulant: Adderall
Nicknames: beans, black beauties, Christmas trees, double trouble
Generic: amphetamine and dextroamphetamine
Legitimate use: Treats ADHD
Kids take: Orally; crushing/snorting
Effects: Intense feeling of energy and increased concentration

Painkillers: Vicodin, Vicoprofen, Tussionex, Lortab, Norco
Nicknames: Vike, Watson-387, Tuss
Generic: hydrocodone
Legitimate use: Treats pain
Kids take: Orally; crushing/snorting
Effect: Intense euphoria

Painkillers: OxyContin, Percodan, Percocet
Nicknames: OC, cotton, Percs
Generic: oxycodone
Legitimate use: Treats pain
Kids take: Orally; crushing/snorting
Effect: Intense euphoria

Painkillers: Avinza, Kadian, MS Contin, MSIR, Oramorph SR, Rescudose, Roxanol
Nickname: Morph
Generic: morphine
Legitimate use: Treats pain
Kids take: Orally; crushing/snorting
Effects: Euphoria and hallucinations